Jays’ Litsch pitching on probation, Gaston says

Jesse Litsch may need to return to the minor leagues in a bid to rediscover the form that made him a 13-game winner in 2008, Toronto Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston said Saturday.

Litsch was pounded for six runs in four-plus innings Friday night in Philadlephia. It was his second bad start in three since he came off the disabled list June 9, less than a year after he underwent reconstructive elbow surgery.

Gaston said Litsch will remain in the rotation on a start-by-start basis. The Jays must weigh whether his confidence is better served by fighting through his woes at the big-league level or enduring an exile to Triple-A Las Vegas, Gaston said.

“It can be a tough call, but I believe if you’re getting beat up, it’s pretty easy, because after a while, anyone would lose their confidence if they keep getting hit,” said Gaston.

In three starts, Litsch has allowed 13 runs and 19 hits in 13 1/3 innings. His ERA is 8.78. In his one good start, he was very good indeed, tossing seven shutout innings June 19 against the San Francisco Giants.

“You don’t want him to lose his confidence,” Gaston said. “You don’t want him to get where he feels like he can’t pitch here.

“Do you keep going with him and let him learn, let him get it back here, or do you send him out? I think whatever’s good for him, we’re going to try to do.”

Gaston stressed that the Jays “are not rushing” to send Litsch to the minors and have made no decision. Litsch is scheduled to pitch next on Wednesday in Cleveland.

Litsch was sitting dejectedly, staring into his locker, when reporters entered the clubhouse after Friday night’s game. When he saw the media approach, he got up and went to a private area of the Jays’ quarters.